By Arlo Moehlenpah
More is said in the New Testament about money than almost any other topic. Some of the words that are used-include abundance, contentment, coveting, giving, gold, mammon, pounds, silver, talents, treasures and wealth. Also, many of Jesus’ parables and illustrations deal with money. The Bible addresses virtually every financial decision a person will ever make.
Biblical Principles
* Stewardship. God owns everything that we have. We are just managers of his resources. (Hag. 2:8)
* Growth process. Sometimes financial problems are a test. (Luke 16:11-12)
* Amount is not important. How you handle it is very important. (Mt. 25:14-30)
* Money will never satisfy. Ask Solomon. (Eccl. 5:10)
* Priorities. God’s kingdom and His righteousness should be first. (Mt. 6:33)
* Wealth. The ability to earn wealth is given by God. (Deut. 8:18)
* Better than money. See what Solomon said was better. (Prov. 15:16-17; 16:8, 16, 19; 17:1; 19:1; 22:1)
* Proper attitude. Your affections should be on things above. (Col. 3:2)
* Contentment. Advertisers spend billions to sow seeds of discontent. (1 Tim. 6:6, 8)
* Covetousness. Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses. (Luke 12:15)
* Greediness. Greed for gain can trouble your own house. (Prov. 15:27)
* Love of money. The love of money is the root of all evil not money itself. (1 Tim. 6:10)
* Trusting in riches. Riches can be stolen and monetary systems can fail. (1 Tim. 6:17)
* Pride. Never buy for show (conspicuous consumption). (Prov. 16:18)
* Honesty. Dishonest business practices are an abomination to the Lord. (Prov. 11:1, 20:10)
* Diligence. Hard work brings a profit not mere talk. (Prov. 14:23)
* Laziness. Laziness leads to hunger and to poverty. (Prov. 19:15, 20:4)
* Drunkenness and loose living. Drunkenness, gluttony, and prostitution all lead to poverty. (Prov. 6:26; 21:17; 23:20-21, 29-30)
* Pay bills on time. If you owe money, pay it back as soon as possible. (Prov. 3:27, 28)
* Get out of debt and stay out of debt. The borrower is servant to the lender. (Prov. 22:7)
* Cosigning. Don’t cosign another person’s note. (Prov. 17:18.
* Instruction. The wise person listens to advice. (Prov. 12:15)
* Wasting. Eat up leftovers and turnoff appliances when not in use. (Prov. 18:9)
* Get-rich-quick schemes. Pyramid and multilevel sales schemes have deceived many. (Prov. 28:22)
* Plan ahead by saving. Expect unforeseen financial emergencies. (Prov. 21:20)
* Gather all the facts. Do this before making major financial decisions. (Prov. 18:13)
* Know the value of what you sell. When your price is fair, do not allow it to be beaten down. (Prov. 20:14)
* Holding back wages. Miseries will come upon employers who live in luxury at the expense of the employees. (James 5:1-6)
* Treatment of the poor and unfortunate. Be rich in good works and willing to share. (1 Tim. 6:18)
* You can’t take it with you. Good deeds will be rewarded not things you gain. (Mt. 6:19-20)
* Generosity. Give and it shall be given you. (Luke 6:38)
This article “Biblical Principles about Money” by Arlo Moehlenpah was excerpted from: www.DoingGood.org website. By Permission. It may be used for study & research purposes only.
This article may not be written by an Apostolic author, but it contains many excellent principles and concepts that can be adapted to most churches. As the old saying goes “Eat the meat. Throw away the bones.”
